Rip City Project
Fansided

Three offseason trades that make sense for the Portland Trail Blazers

By Stevie Cozens

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Taurean Prince for Ariza + a first-round pick

The 26-year-old Taurean Prince is another forward that the Blazers could try and target in a trade this offseason. The return of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the 2021 season may mean that Prince is surplus to requirements.

Prince is a combo forward who struggled in his solitary year for the Brooklyn Nets, shooting the ball at career lows when compared to his three years with the Atlanta Hawks.

In a potential move to the Blazers, he could get the development he needs on his offensive game while being given defensive responsibilities on a nightly basis. Prince is six-foot-seven and 220 pounds, and though he isn’t a lockdown defender, he can guard some of the leagues big forwards.

He might not be the exciting forward prospect that Blazer fans would like, but he is just 26-years-old and would benefit from the Blazers in house development.

For the Nets, they would add Ariza, who would be a better fit next to the returning Durant. Durant probably can’t guard the same guys he did before his injury, so Ariza is an excellent fit in that regard. They could then use the 16th pick to bring in another cost-controlled contract, or package it with the 19th pick that they acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers. ‘

With the two max contracts of Irving and Durant on the books, they could either flip these two picks or draft them both and use them to make a trade to bring in a third star.

The Nets would send a 2021 second-round pick in this trade to balance the ledger.

Next. 3 scenarios for the Portland Trail Blazers to trade their 2020 NBA Draft pick. dark